College Access Program: Harnessing Potential
Twenty female high school students and recent graduates from four Afghan provinces were invited to the AUAF campus to complete a three-week long College Access Program, giving them a taste of the challenges and opportunities involved in being an AUAF student.
The women, from Badakhshan, Balkh, Bamiyan, and Herat provinces, were given English language courses, computer training, and cultural excursions as part of the program. Classes took place on the campus, with program participants staying at the AUAF dormitory.
Mr. Johan Brongers, Chief Finance and Administration Officer and Vice President, describes the program as "an intensive English language training program assisting students to improve their language proficiency and at the same time, being exposed to opportunities awaiting them at AUAF."
The goal is to familiarize high school students and recent graduates with AUAF, in the hopes they will both share the experience with their peers in their home provinces and also continue their studies at AUAF.
Engaging female high school students and recent graduates is a priority for AUAF. Although women comprise over half the population, only 18% of AUAF students were women in the fall 2008 semester. Targeted programs such as the College Access Program encourage female students to study at AUAF and take advantage of benefits such as increased earnings potential and additional educational opportunities.
Intensive learning inside and outside the classroom
Mrs. Janet Brongers, Admissions Director and initiator of the program, says "The College Access Program involves six hours of intensive English language training per day as well as extracurricular activities held outside AUAF campus."
The course agenda reaches beyond English-language study. "It also includes computer lessons, educational tours, and mentoring sessions outside the classroom," she adds.
Students' levels of spoken English have already seen great advancement. Mrs. Brongers notes, "Students only speak in English while in the program."
Susan, an outgoing, dark-haired woman from Mazar-e-Sharif, says the program has inspired her to enlist in higher education, "I am learning a lot in this program and I hope to pass the entry tests to come and study here at AUAF."
English, computer and other college-level skills are not the only topics taught. Ms. Rahima Amin, who works in the College Access Program, stays with the students in the AUAF residence hall for the duration of the program. "The students receive training in social and interpersonal skills after class. Students cook together, live together and learn together. The program trains them for university studies and for life."
Marzia, a student from Bamiyan province attests, "Our house is good. We have several group activities after the class hours and in the house."
Planning and preparation
The College Access Program has been a year in the planning and preparation stage. The initial program was held in Herat for 20 female and male students for whom benefiting from a native-speaker instructor was a unique opportunity
The Herat College Access Program, although a success, could not be sustained in its initial shape. Mrs. Brongers explains:
"Finding enough venues for the program during the Afghan school winter break proved impossible. The idea was hatched to hold the College Access Program during the high school break but on the campus of the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul."
The College Access Program in its current form kicked off in December 2008. In this program, 20 women from outside of Kabul have been invited to live in AUAF female residence hall and learn on AUAF campus in Kabul.
Students selected to participate in College Access Program took tests in their respective provinces. Mr. Reza Sarwar, who also works on the program says, "The 20 students we have here are the ones who scored highest on entry tests amongst approximately 60 students."
The number of AUAF students in the 'core' Foundation Studies and Undergraduate Programs doubled last semester to reach nearly 400. Noting the sharp increase in the number of students, Mr. Brongers is optimistic about the future: "We hope that some of these students, who we have encouraged to become members of AUAF community, score high enough to enter formal programs of the University in the upcoming semester."
After the end of the program, these students can apply for admission to the Foundation Studies Program (FSP), a lengthier program preparing students for the challenging expectations of AUAF degree programs.
